1995 BMW 3 Series 316i SE review from UK and Ireland

Failed MOT with rusty steel brake lines - over £400 to fix! And this was when I was ready to sell the car : (

Front seats groan and creak.

Very slow to speed up from 50-70 on motorway, frequently have to drop lock into 3rd on the auto 'box.

Tricky in wet/snow, even with the modest output from the 1.6 with auto.

Fuel economy okay, especially on a long run.

Built like a tank. When looking for replacement cars I am amazed how flimsy they feel, despite the BMW interior having a few minor squeaks. On the motorway they disappear and it cruises smoothly and quietly.

Keeps up okay on the motorway providing you aren't looking for mid-range. Rests on 80-90 no bother once you are there.

BMW servicing decent, £220 for an inspection 2, £80-ish for an inspection 1 if the car is over 4 years old.

Handling is very good. But as this website says the 1.6 4 cyl doesn't do the rest of the car justice. Definitely go for a 6 cylinder if you are considering one of these, especially in automatic form!

There's a lot of Kev'd up 3-series with suspicious M3 alloys around nowadays... Can't help the cars already dubious stereotypical-owner image!

Keep in mind although these may be quite cheap to buy you could probably do better with something that doesn't have a propeller badge on the top of the bonnet for the same money.

Looking into at a Peugeot 306 GTi-6 next!!!